Nursing Faculty Member Studies Health of Female Long-Haul Truck Drivers

LEXINGTON, KY Tammy Gay, (Sept. 25, 2000) -- Women now comprise approximately 6 percent of long-haul truck drivers. Deborah Reed, R.N., Ph.D., assistant professor, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, has completed her first study looking at occupational health issues of female long-haul truck drivers.

The purpose of Reed’s study included:

• Providing a description of the health status of female truck drivers;
• Identifying social, economic and behavioral factors that influence access to health care; and
• Distinguishing female truck driver’s usage patterns and barriers in obtaining health care.

In the study, 284 drivers were surveyed. Medically diagnosed health conditions included sinus problems, 27.8 percent, back pain, 18.3 percent, migraines, 17.3 percent, hypertension, 15.5 percent, vision problems, 12 percent, and depression, 8.5 percent.